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Truth + Transparency: The Future of Green Building

Since its founding ten years ago, the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) has radically transformed green building. At this year’s Living Future Conference: Truth + Transparency, like-minded visionaries and leaders in the green building industry came together to share ideas and discuss new innovations on topics ranging from social justice to the WELL Building Standard. Sessions examined who and what truth and transparency affects: manufacturers, owners, architects, general contractors, subcontractors, building occupants, and the list goes on.

During the Living Future conference, we were also challenged to consider the green building industry’s move from sustainable to regenerative. So what is the next natural step for the green building industry? It isn’t just about the buildings anymore; it’s also about the people. In fact the conference had as much focus on people as it did on the built environment.

The WELL Building Standard was a hot topic of discussion. WELL is the first performance-based certification system for the built environment focused exclusively on human health and wellness ac
ross seven factors: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort and Mind.

The breakfast keynote started with Qigong, a mindful, stretching exercise to get attendees energized and thinking about their well-being. The theme of health and wellness carried on through the conference with many speakers asking that we get up and stretch before sessions, reiterating the notion that “sitting is the new smoking.”

Fitness was also highlighted at the conference through lunchtime walking groups and a ‘Biomimicry: Walking Discussion’ session. On average people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. The Living Building Challenge and the WELL Building Standard are addressing this through initiatives such as incorporating biophilia indoors, design that mimics the natural environment, and creating a “connection to place.” Not only does this encourage an active lifestyle and good health, but a connection to nature within the workplace lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol making for a happier and more productive workplace.

Reflecting on the conference, it is clear that BCCI is at the forefront of providing a transparent and wellness focused workplace. As a general contractor, BCCI’s commitment to truth and transparency is demonstrated in its core values, specifically integrity.

Integrity: Create transparency in our business practices. Honor our commitments. Do what is right.
BCCI Construction Company

Participation in ILFI’s JUST program, a voluntary disclosure program for organizations to be transparent about its operations and social justice practices, is just one of several ways BCCI retains integrity by pulling back the curtain to provide employees, clients, and business partners with key company insights beyond revenue numbers and market share. JUST is one of many programs through ILFI with the mission to lead and support the transformation toward communities that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative.

As ILFI founder, Jason McLennan, stated in his keynote speech at the conference, “We can’t optimize in isolation.” Truth and transparency disrupt isolated thinking. BCCI honors transparency at every level in the workplace, and it is embedded in the company’s business practices. The physical space of its offices with an open layout boosts open communication and collaboration resulting in enriched teamwork, integrative thinking, and accelerated productivity.

Through BCCI’s commitment to WELL, the company provides sit/stand desks for every employee in accordance with the Comfort category. To promote biophilia and provide a link to the outdoors, workstations at BCCI’s headquarters are oriented near windows furnishing views of the Northern Waterfront neighborhood and an adjacent park. BCCI’s Sustainability Team has been prompted by the views to get outside and use the park setting for meetings and check-ins.